Unlocking the Realm of Rocks: Your Complete Guide to Genshin Impact’s Lantern Rite Phase II

Genshin Impact’s cherished Lantern Rite festivities continue to captivate players, presenting one of Teyvat’s most significant and rewarding annual events. The grand celebration in Liyue Harbor now unfolds its second act, "The Realm of Rocks," which launched on 2024-02-09 (UTC+8). This latest chapter introduces fresh story quests, a bounty of limited-time prizes, and crucial opportunities for resource accumulation. As adventurers flock back to Liyue, this update isn’t just a source of precious Primogems; it’s a strategic pathway for both veteran Travelers and newcomers to advance their in-game progress.

Phase II Overview: What You Need to Know

The "Realm of Rocks" questline anchors Phase II of the Lantern Rite. Here’s a quick rundown of key information:

Quest Title: The Realm of Rocks
Availability: Commenced 2024-02-09 (UTC+8)
Location: Liyue Region
Primary Rewards: Abundant Primogems, the rare Crown of Insight, and exclusive festive decorations.
Eligibility Criteria: Players must have achieved Adventure Rank 28 or higher and completed the Archon Quest "A New Star Approaches."
Event End Date: Not officially specified in current materials.
Community Hubs: Stay connected and discuss event progress via Genshin Impact’s official TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube channels, and the dedicated HoYoLAB Website.

Event Timeline & Specifics (Phase II)

Phase	Start Date	End Date	Key Features
II	2024-02-09	Undisclosed	"Realm of Rocks" narrative, Liyue exploration

Note: Specific character banner dates and rates are not detailed in the event announcement. For comprehensive insights into current and upcoming banners, consult the detailed guides available on GenshinBuilds’ Genshin Impact section.

Is Participation Worthwhile? A Strategic Perspective for All Players

The Lantern Rite events consistently stand out for offering some of Genshin Impact’s most efficient and valuable time-limited rewards. Resources such as Primogems, the highly sought-after Crown of Insight, and unique furnishing items are not readily available through other means, making active participation in this event almost essential for Travelers planning their long-term character pulls and account progression. Even for free-to-play (F2P) and low-spending players, the core storyline quests typically don’t demand highly optimized teams, allowing you to conserve valuable resin and currency for acquiring desirable banner characters.

Optimizing Your Event Experience

To extract the maximum benefit from "The Realm of Rocks" and subsequent phases:

Early Quest Focus: Prioritize completing the main story quests as soon as possible, as these often serve as prerequisites for unlocking later event stages and content.
Embrace Side Content: Fully engage with all mini-games and optional tasks. Skipping these can mean missing out on a significant amount of Primogems and other valuable rewards.
Annual Resource Boost: If your goal is to stockpile resources in anticipation of major rerun banners or new character releases, the Lantern Rite consistently ranks as the most efficient annual event for this purpose.

Character Selection for Quest Navigation

This phase of the Lantern Rite is designed to be broadly accessible, featuring combat encounters of moderate difficulty. Unlike the challenges of endgame Spiral Abyss or high-level domains, you won’t typically need highly specialized teams.

Thematic Choices: Consider bringing Liyue-based characters (e.g., Xiangling, Xingqiu, Yelan, Zhongli) not only for their combat prowess but also for potential unique dialogue and thematic interactions that enhance the festival atmosphere.
Accessibility for All: Accounts with lower character levels or less optimized gear should encounter no prohibitive obstacles. However, including characters with crowd control abilities or a dedicated healer is always a prudent choice for smoother initial clears.
Veteran Efficiency: Experienced players looking to minimize clear times can effectively utilize powerful AoE (Area of Effect) burst teams to swiftly overcome groups of enemies and complete exploration objectives.

Event Activities & Prize Highlights

Expect a variety of engaging activities throughout "The Realm of Rocks," including:

Exploring newly revealed ritual areas within Liyue.
Participating in captivating story-driven dialogue sequences with beloved festival characters.
Completing light combat challenges and environmental puzzles that require keen observation.

A Summary of Your Potential Rewards

Primogems: The fundamental currency for wishes and banner pulls.
Crown of Insight (高级天赋书): An exceedingly rare item, indispensable for leveling up character talents, with a highly limited supply annually.
Festive Furnishings: Unique decorations to personalize your Serenitea Pot realm.
Essential Materials: Talent level-up books, character ascension materials, and abundant Mora.

Your Preparation Checklist

To ensure a seamless experience, consider these preparatory steps:

Complete Prerequisites: Make sure all necessary Archon Quests and Story Quests are finished before diving into the event.
Inventory Management: Reserve adequate inventory space for the new event items and materials you’ll acquire.
High-Mobility Characters: For those aiming for quick task completion, including characters like Wanderer or Sayu can significantly speed up exploration.
Resin Independence: Daily resin usage remains separate from event stages; participation in "The Realm of Rocks" does not consume resin.

Community Impact & Future Glimpses

Every iteration of the Lantern Rite allows Hoyoverse to reinforce player engagement, bolster community spirit, and sustain the in-game economy. Historical patterns suggest that Phase II often hints at forthcoming Liyue-centric content drops or character reruns. While the exact duration of this patch’s event remains unstated, discussions across official channels imply another multi-week window, complemented by regional login bonuses and social media campaigns designed to encourage daily participation.

Unverified Information: Certain community rumors have surfaced regarding potential unannounced mini-games or additional cinematic sequences for a possible Phase III. Always cross-reference such speculations with official announcements before committing to a grinding strategy.

Visual Enhancement Suggestions for the Article

A stunning image depicting Liyue at night, illuminated by numerous festival lanterns, effectively setting the event’s mood and visual theme.
A compelling screenshot from a quest cutscene, showing the main party interacting with Liyue NPCs in the harbor, illustrating story progression.

Final Thoughts: Seize the Lantern Rite’s Riches

With "The Realm of Rocks," Phase II of this year’s Lantern Rite is undoubtedly Genshin Impact’s prime opportunity for efficient resource gathering and immersing oneself in Liyue’s rich lore. Players focused on maximizing their gains should diligently complete all available quests and mini-games to secure every possible Primogem and Crown of Insight. Keep a close watch on official communication channels for any late-phase announcements, and for comprehensive event strategies, optimal routes, and ongoing coverage, be sure to check out GenshinBuilds’ complete Lantern Rite guides.